'Embarrassed' Jason Bateman Apologizes For Defending Costar Jeffrey Tambor’s Behavior
May 24 2018, Published 12:33 p.m. ET
This Wednesday, the New York Times published an interview with the Arrested Development cast. In it, actress Jessica Walter claimed her longtime costar Jeffrey Tambor repeatedly yelled at her and verbally harassed her while on set.
Though various male costars went out of their way to defend or dismiss Tambor’s actions, there is one actor that regrets his insensitive comments.
After hearing Walter’s story — and the shocking audio of her crying about the incident — Jason Bateman shared a heartfelt apology.
“Based on listening to the NYT interview and hearing people’s thoughts online, I realize that I was wrong here. I sound like I’m condoning yelling at work. I do not. It sounds like I’m excusing Jeffery. I do not. It sounds like I’m insensitive to Jessica. I am not. In fact, I’m horrified that I wasn’t more aware of how this incident affected her,” Bateman, 49, explained after saying 73-year-old Tambor’s explosive behavior was typical of certain performers.
“I was so eager to let Jeffrey know that he was supported in his attempt to learn, grow and apologize that I completely underestimated the feelings of the victim, another person I deeply love - and she was… sitting right there!” Bateman continued.
As RadarOnline.com has learned, Walter, 77, recounted the assault during her NYT interview, saying between tears that in “almost 60 years of working, I’ve never had anybody yell at me like that on a set and it’s hard to deal with, but I’m over it now.”
“I have to let go of being angry at him,” she added, clearly traumatized by her costar’s aggressive actions.
Continued Bateman in his apology: “I’m incredibly embarrassed and deeply sorry to have done that to Jessica. This is a big learning moment for me. I shouldn’t have tried so hard to mansplain, or fix a fight, or make everything okay. I should’ve focused more on what the most important part of it all is - there’s never any excuse for abuse, in any form, from any gender. And, the victim’s voice needs to be heard and respected. Period. I didn’t say that and instead said a bunch of other stuff and not very well.”
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“I deeply, and sincerely, apologize,” he concluded.
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